{{tnr}}'''Grace Meng''' (b. October 1st, 1975) is a Party member of the [[United States House of Representatives]] representing [[New York's 6th congressional district]]. Meng was first elected to the House from [[New York's 6th congressional district elections, 2012|New York's 6th congressional district]] in 2012 and is currently serving her 1st term in office.

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{{tnr}}'''Grace Meng''' (b. October 1st, 1975) is a [[Democratic]] member of the [[United States House of Representatives]] representing [[New York's 6th congressional district]]. Meng was first elected to the [[U.S. House|House]] from [[New York's 6th congressional district elections, 2012|New York's 6th congressional district]] in 2012 and is currently serving her 1st term in office.

Meng is the first Asian American member of [[Congress]] from [[New York]].<ref>[http://nationaljournal.com/congress-legacy/new-york-6th-house-district-20121105 ''National Journal'' "New Faces: New York, 6th House District" Accessed November 20, 2012]</ref><ref>[http://meng.house.gov/about/full-biography]</ref>

Meng is the first Asian American member of [[Congress]] from [[New York]].<ref>[http://nationaljournal.com/congress-legacy/new-york-6th-house-district-20121105 ''National Journal'' "New Faces: New York, 6th House District" Accessed November 20, 2012]</ref><ref>[http://meng.house.gov/about/full-biography]</ref>

Issues

Campaign themes

2012

"Creating jobs for hardworking families in Queens will be my top priority when I get to Congress. While we avoided plunging into a second Great Depression following the 2008 financial crisis, economic growth is still too slow and our unemployment rate is still too high. I have a clear vision and 4-point plan for bringing jobs back to Queens:

Immediate federal aid to local and state governments to hire more teachers, police officers and firefighters.

Federal transportation dollars – and transportation-related jobs – to Queens. I will seek appointment to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure in order to achieve this objective.

Tax credits for small businesses that hire new workers.

Investment in technological advancement and initiatives that will help Queens thrive as a technology corridor.

As a Member of Congress, I will oppose the right-wing assault on the health care and senior citizen programs that are so crucial to the fabric of our society. I believe that every citizen should have access to quality, affordable health care; that individuals with pre-existing conditions should not be denied coverage; and that young people should continue to be able to stay on their parents’ insurance until they are 26.

We must also pass sensible, pro law enforcement gun legislation. In Congress I will fight for legislation:

Requiring all new semiautomatic pistols be capable of microstamping ammunition so that investigators can use bullet shell casings to identify perpetrators of gun violence;

Ensuring that all individuals prohibited from buying a firearm are uploaded to the national instant criminal background check system;

Her priorities in Congress involve building up the transportation system and tourism in Queens, as well as raising taxes on the wealthy to allow for hiring more firefighters and police officers in the borough.[5]

Elizabeth Crowley's cousin, U.S. Representative and Queens Democratic Party Chairman Joseph Crowley, endorsed Meng over his relative. As a local Democratic leader, the congressman is heavily invested in the race; analysts suggest he would benefit from backing a winner after he endorsed a candidate in 2010 who went on to lose to Republican Bob Turner in an upset.[9]

Regardless, the party is not expected to lose the seat. Joe Crowley's interest in supporting Meng was more about bolstering the "perceived strengths" of the local Democratic organization, analysts say.[9] Meng did have the cash advantage, as well as the race advantage in a 40-percent Asian district. She was endorsed by The New York Times and EMILY's List,[9] among others.[10]

Lancman made a race of it, however. He was endorsed by the New York Daily News and the Queens Chronicle, and strongly pursued the Jewish vote.[9] He and Meng were involved in some intense campaigning, each sharply criticizing the other.[11][12] Lancman sent out a mass mailing decrying Meng's and Crowley's stances on Israel and national defense.[12]

Lancman also accused Meng of not supporting New York Assembly legislation to increase the tax on millionaires. Meng says she was instrumental in passing the measure, and some Assembly leadership have said both Lancman and Meng played a big roll in the new tax bill.[11]

2010

Meng ran unopposed in the September 14 Democratic primary. She was also unopposed in the general election on November 2. In addition to running on the Democratic ticket, she ran on the Working Familes ticket.[13]

New York State Assembly, District 22 2010

Candidates

Votes

Grace Meng (D)

9,518

2008

On November 4, 2008 Meng won election to the New York State Assembly, District 22, defeating opponent Ellen Young (I).

Meng raised $459,254 for her campaign while Young raised $225,750.[14]

New York State Assembly, District 22 2008

Candidates

Votes

Grace Meng (D)

13,549

Ellen Young (I)

1,898

Campaign donors

Comprehensive donor information for Meng is available dating back to 2012. Based on available campaign finance records, Meng raised a total of $1,730,611 during that time period. This information was last updated on March 23, 2013.[15]

Grace Meng's Campaign Contribution History

Year

Office

Result

Contributions

2012

U.S. House of Representatives (New York, District 6)

$1,730,611

Grand Total Raised

$1,730,611

Individual breakdown

2012

Breakdown of the source of Meng's campaign funds before the 2012 election.

Meng won re-election to the U.S. House in 2012. During that election cycle, Meng's campaign committee raised a total of $1,730,611 and spent $1,666,012.[16]

Lifetime voting record

According to the website GovTrack, From Jan 2013 to Apr 2013, Meng missed 9 of 102 roll call votes from Jan 2013 to Apr 2013, which is 8.8% of votes during that period. This is worse than the median of 2.2% among the lifetime records of representatives currently serving.[20]

Net worth

2011

Based on congressional financial disclosure forms and calculations made available by OpenSecrets.org - The Center for Responsive Politics, Meng's net worth as of 2011 was estimated between $994,045 to $3,267,998. That averages to $2,131,021, which is lower than the average net worth of Democratic House members in 2011 of $5,107,874.[21]